ED_000552B_00059448_0_60e99e13-402c-4da7-a025-d5d640af94bd

ORDER OF THE LA PLATA COUNTY COLORADO SHERIFF

PERTAINING TO USE RESTRICTIONS ON THE AMIMAS RIVER

AUGUST 6. 2015

Pursuant to the authority vested in me under C.R.S. §§ 33-13-1 1 1 and 1 12, 1, Sean Smith,
Sheriff of La Plata County, Colorado, hereby issue this Order dated August 6, 201 5.

I. Background

A. On August 5, 2015, the EPA and State Division of Reclamation, Mining and
Safety team working to investigate and address contamination at the Gold King Mine in San
Juan County, Colorado unexpectedly triggered a large release of mine waste water into the upper
portions of Cement Creek located in San Juan County, Colorado. Initial estimates are that the
release contained approximately 1 million gallons of water that was held behind unconsolidated
debris near an abandoned mine portal.

B. The EPA recommends that recreational users of the Animas River avoid contact
with or use of the river until the pulse of mine water passes.

C. After consultation with the EPA, Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment and San Juan Basin Health Department, I have determined that a hazard to human
life and safety exists within La Plata County.

D. As used in this Order, the term “vessel” means every description of watercraft
(including Whitewater canoes and kayaks) used or capable of being used as a means of
transportation of persons and property on the water, other than single chambered air-inflated
devices or seaplanes. As used in this Order, the term “single chambered air-inflated device”
shall mean an air inflated device that has only one air compartment, such as inner tubes and
certain types of air mattresses and small inflatable rafts.

II. Directive

Beginning Thursday, August 6, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. an official use restriction shall be in
place whereby the operation of vessels and single chambered air-inflated devices on any waters
of the Animas River beginning at the San Juan County, Colorado/La Plata County, Colorado
county line and ending at the Colorado/New Mexico state line is hereby prohibited.

Furthermore, all such vessels and single-chambered air-inflated devices are to be removed from
the Animas River within the locations cited above.

4850-5417-9878. v. 1

1783765

ED 000552B 00059448-00001

III. Duration

This Order of the La Plata County Sheriff shall remain in effect until amended or
rescinded by the La Plata Coimty Sheriff

IV. Penalty for Violation

The penalty for operating a vessel in violation of this order is specified in C.R.S. § 33-13-
11 1(3). The penalty for operating or using a single-chambered air-inflated device in violation of
this order is specified in C.R.S. § 33-13-1 10(20(d).

Sean Smith, La'Plata County Sheriff

4850-5417-9878, v. 1

ED 000552B 00059448-00002